For those who grew up watching The Jetsons, flying cars are arriving a few decades behind schedule.
But like the other eye-catching electric-powered rides on the road today — from e-bikes to EVs — they’re proving worth the wait.
Demos of the Pivotal Helix eVTOL personal aircraft are set to be one of the big draws at Electrify Expo 2025, happening this October at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.
The Helix has potential uses for personal transportation, public safety, and even defense.
“You don’t need a pilot’s license to fly it,” said BJ Birtwell, founder and CEO of Electrify Expo. “You just need to go through training.”
That makes it different from planes or helicopters — officially placing it in the “Advanced Air Mobility” category, or what most of us would call a “flying car.”
Don’t expect to actually take to the skies at the event.
But you can get behind the wheel of electric cars, trucks, and SUVs from at least 10 manufacturers. Look for everything from GM’s full lineup (Cadillac, Chevy, GMC) to Tesla, Rivian, Vinfast, and Lucid, which will be showing off its new 800-horsepower Gravity SUV.
Toyota is also bringing its new all-electric BZ4X along with a popular hybrid lineup.
What is Electrify Expo?
Think of it as an outdoor electric vehicle festival — and not your average auto show. Aside from New York, there are Electrify Expo events held annually in Austin, Denver, Long Beach, Calif., Phoenix and other metro areas.
In Uniondale, the event is spread across more than 1 million square feet of exhibit, demo and show space where Electrify Expo showcases cars, trucks, bikes, scooters, skateboards — pretty much anything that rolls on battery power.
The event is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18–19. Friday is reserved for media and industry insiders.
“We are really the antithesis of an auto show,” Birtwell said. “When you experience a vehicle in the basement of a convention center, you’re not in a real-world driving experience. We want to give people a solid demo so they understand the technology, the fun factor, and the thrill factor.”
And Long Island, he noted, is the right place for it: “Most of the auto registrations happen on Long Island, not necessarily in the city. So it makes sense for us to be where those people are.”
Must-see experiences
New this year: the Volvo Electric Drive Experience, where visitors can race along a track with a pro driver and a freestyle motocross show featuring electric dirt bikes.
On the educational side, the EV Reality Check Zone powered by GreenCars will host speakers and panels, moderated by Matt Teske of the EV charging app Chargeway.
“If people are curious about the industry, I’d recommend the EV Reality Check,” said Adam Weissman, senior PR manager for Anker Innovations, an event sponsor. “You can sit under a tent, recharge your phone, and ask questions about all things electric.”
Tips for attendees
- Arrive early if you want to test-drive the most popular vehicles before lines get long.
- Consider grabbing a $69.99 Power Pack Pass, which works like an amusement park fast pass for test drives.
- Plan your route ahead of time if you’re not going for the pass — “They do fill up quickly,” Weissman warned.
- The event is outdoors, rain or shine. Food trucks will be on hand, but outside food isn’t allowed.
- Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes — required for the e-bikes and scooters.
Last chance (for now)
This will be the final Electrify Expo in New York for the foreseeable future.
Tickets are $20 (plus fees and tax, total $24.99). Kids under 5 get in free with a paid adult.
Top: Crowds at the 2024 Electrify Expo at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. (Credit: Electrify Expo/courtesy)
